How do we cope with what happened in Newtown?

Ugh…I’m so teary and heavy hearted…our entire country is. The indescribable, happened yesterday…It’s incomprehensible. I think most of the people in our country are in shock and you can feel the heaviness in the atmosphere here in the Northeast. Parents with children and teens old enough to read and see the news, are trying to figure out what to say, and how to help their young ones and young adults- who are in schools/colleges all over the country…

What can we do? How do we cope with such devastating horror? How do we help our children, teens and young adults not be afraid? How can we as parents not be afraid, when we see things like this?… and struggle with anguish for the parents of the children killed yesterday, as well as the teachers- all murdered in places that are supposed to be safe…

What do we do?

First, I want to lead you in prayer. If you haven’t prayed with your family yet, I’d like to offer this one, that you can read out loud as you come together now.

DearFather,

We come together now and lift up our eyes and hearts to you. Lord, we are so broken hearted for the families whose loved ones were killed yesterday. We are grieved for the entire Newtown, CT community, and we extend our love to them. Father, we ask you to provide, and bestow your overwhelming love- as only you can do, in a tragedy of this magnitude. They need you, and have been left reeling. We ask your presence to descend upon the entire community. We ask you to comfort and uphold those whose children, and loved ones were killed. We pray healing, unity, and supernatural strength to abound in their hearts and homes.- In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Here are some other things that you can do. We have done this with our children. (Important note: You and only you can discern how to explain the following. You may need to adjust the message for your young ones. Our children are older. However, you can still give the same message in simpler terms.)

Sit your children down. Talk to them about what happened. Ask them what they heard, or already read on social media. The best thing we can do as parents is be the ones to talk to them about this. They are going to be hearing all sorts of things from news media, social media and friends.

1) Let them know, that regardless of what they may hear,- God is a good God, and he is not the one who is responsible for these killings. It is very important that your children know that yes, there is evil in this world. Evil exists and evil is behind this act, not God. Explain to them, that we have been given authority over evil (Luke 9:1 -2 and Luke 10: 17-19) and they don’t need to fear.

2) Pray the blood of Jesus over your family, and clan day and night, out loud. (Look at these scriptures if you don’t understand. Exodus 12:13 and Revelations 12:11) These scriptures help to explain the power of the blood of Jesus over our lives. Personally, we have done this every single day since 2001. Our children have never known anything different, every time they leave the house- we pray the blood of Jesus over them. We do it over every building, road, vehicle, and everywhere we put our feet. Here is an example: Father, we plead the blood of Jesus over insert your names here. Thank you insert names again, are covered in the blood of Jesus, and they are protected.

3) Declare Psalm 91 and Psalm 121 over you and your family members every single day. Say them out loud and insert your names in these scriptures. Say this: “Father, I declare Psalm 91 over insert your names here. Do it again with Psalm 121. When you say the Word of God out loud over you and your family members you are appropriating the authority of those scriptures over your lives! Remember Jesus Christ purchased our redemption, and then He gave us all authority. (Luke 10: 17-19) It is up to us to appropriate and establish the promises of God in our families.

4) Charge the angels to keep your family safe from all harm. How? In Hebrews 1: 14, and Psalm 103: 20- It says that angels are sent to minister to us, the heirs of salvation. We are heirs with Jesus Christ, and it is important to charge the angels to protect you. It also says the angels hearken to the voice of the Word. We are the ones who give voice to the Word of God. We are the ones who declare it over our families and lives. Here is an example: Father, your word says your angels hearken to the voice of the Word. I am giving voice to your Word through Psalm 91 and 121. I charge you angels to minister and carry it out over my family and clan. Keep them safe from all harm. They are blessed coming in and going out, no harm befalls them, and no calamity comes near them. You keep them from all evil.

5) Take authority over the enemy, the devil and all his demons. That may sound crazy to you. But, it is scriptural. Matthew 18:18, says we are the ones in charge of doing this. Matthew 10:1 also tells us we are the ones who have been given authority to do this. Here is an example. We also do this everyday: In the name of Jesus we take authority over all evil and demonic spirits. You will not touch me and my family. We bind you in Jesus name. No weapon forged against us shall prosper. We are blessed everywhere we go. We live long lives full of salvation. (This is MT. 18:18, Isaiah 54, and Psalm 91)

6) Reassure your children about God, and His word. Reassure them that God is faithful to His Word (Isaiah 55: 11 and Hebrews 10:23). God loves them, and His word is truth.

I realize some of you out there may think this is strange, and you don’t understand it. But, pick up the Bible and research these scriptures for yourselves. Do the steps above, and let your hearts rest peacefully. Demonstrate these things in your families, and let your children take refuge in knowing that mom and dad are not fearful. They will take great comfort in these things.

I encourage you to print this article out. Put it on your refrigerator, or a convenient place, to remind you to do these things faithfully every single day. It will propel fear out of your lives and your children’s lives. They will see you doing this, and feel secure. It is so important for them to just be kids…without worry coming into their minds, or yours, while they are at school or any other place.

And.. pray fervently for the families in Newtown. Draw close to God now, like never before. Get into a good, strong Bible believing church. You need it, and your kids need it.

God Bless you and yours. I am praying for each and every single one of you. God be with Newtown, CT and all of the precious, dear people there.

Love,

Liz

*And…if you and your children haven’t yet, Pray to ask Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior. Here is what you can say together out loud: Jesus, we believe you are the son of God. We are asking you to come into our hearts right now and be our Lord and Savior. Take our lives and help us live for you. Amen.

32 Responses

And thank you for proving it again, this time by resorting to inane gibberish to disguise that you have nothing left to offer.

This post being submitted around 10:45 PM on Christmas Eve, I trust Liz has better things to be doing for the next day or so than moderating petty squabbles, so rather than wish you a Merry Christmas, I’ll say that I hope it was so, surrounded by your family and loved ones. Or at the very least, by those who can tolerate being in the same room with you and your ego.